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Downton Abbey and royal baby attract would-be US visitors to UK

Royal baby news and the success of TV shows such as Downton Abbey are driving increased interest in the UK from American would-be tourists.

Travellers from long-haul markets such as China and Singapore are also looking to the UK as a possible holiday spot, according to a survey by TripAdvisor.

The US topped the list of fastest-growing markets, with a 23% year-on-year growth in internet searches for the UK, the company said.

Second was Canada (up 21%) followed by the UK’s own residents (up 20%), Singapore (up 19%) and China (up 18%).

Looking at sheer numbers rather than the rise in growth, UK residents made up the majority of searches for UK destinations on TripAdvisor, with the US second and Germany third. London was the most popular destination for the UK as well as world travellers, with Yorkshire second and Devon third for UK tourists, while Edinburgh was second and Yorkshire third for world travellers.

The increased attractiveness of cities in northern England was reflected in the fact that Greater Manchester made it into the top 10 in ninth place in both the UK and world travellers’ lists.

TripAdvisor for Business marketing vice president Alison Copus said: “In the year of the post-Olympics afterglow and a new royal baby to celebrate, it is clear that the UK’s place on the world stage is as strong as ever.

“Overall, interest in UK destinations is on the rise, and not just to the traditional holiday hotspots on the coast or in the capital.”